“I can feel my power growing,” the warlock exclaimed.
Bera watched with mixed emotion as Uthal passed his fingertips through the silver pool of the mirror.
“Then it is time,” she said. The words came out reluctantly. It was good that Uthal had been distracted or he would have felt and sensed the thoughts that were filling her mind. Her eyes traveled to the sight of the other mirror across the hall. She had plans of her own. Spending an eternity with Uthal was not included in them. Her mind drifted over the words of the other spell she found in the back of the book. Layers upon layers. We all have our own destiny.
A large wail caught her attention. Makura’s presence filled the room. With the children standing behind her, she moved carefully into the room. “We must not do this,” she cried to Bera. “There should be no more death.”
“I died a thousand deaths behind this mirror,” Uthal replied harshly. “Do as you’re commanded. You belong to my house, and you’re my servant.”
Bera took a step back. She knew Makura wouldn’t win and watched the interaction between the two with interest.
“You must change. Your punishment came because you murdered millions in your quest for ultimate power. What did it bring you? You should be content that you’re still alive even if you’re behind a prison of glass.”
“Who are you to admonish me?”
“At least you’re not condemned as I’ve been.”
“Your people vanished long ago. Clinging to their memory is needless. Punishment? This prison has been more than a punishment. It’s been a constant reminder that magic will never accept me. The only way I can have it is by force. And if others must perish, then so be it. All magic shall be mine.”
“You haven’t learned anything in three thousand years.” Makura wailed. “Nothing. You’ve learned nothing.”
“Neither have you,” he stated. “Move the children into position.”
The air suddenly filled with the metallic sound of grinding metal. Bera looked at the machine. She could see the light of dawn in the sky above. “It must be done now!” she commanded sharply. She hated to interrupt the tangle of words between the ex-lovers. It was so entertaining. But it was time for the next phase of the spell. “The children need to be put to the machine.” She motioned for the rat men. “Retrieve them. Put them in the straps.”
She glared at the five who were now clinging in terror to one another. “Makura can’t protect you anymore.” Her smile slid across her face when she pointed to the banshee.
“You shall not have them,” Makura cried. “I belong no longer to your house, warlock. Your threats do not contain me. Three thousand years should have taught you different lessons.”
Bera watched anxiously as the warlock moved his whole hand through the glass. Should she ready the other spell? The defiance of Makura made her think differently about the outcome of Uthal’s plans. They never come out right. She began to speak the language of the other spell under her breath.
“You will regret your words,” the warlock said. “For revenge is the greatest power, and I hold it in my hand.”
Bera finished the spell and nodded contently to herself.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
The shock of seeing his double was more than he could handle. Idril couldn’t believe his eyes. His twin appeared to be assisting the witch. What was happening? “Do you see it?” he whispered to Nimi. He peered around the small alcove again.
“Yes. It’s you. But not you. Part of the warlock’s plan, I’m sure.”
Idril felt new apprehension as they sat still, waiting for their cue from the banshee. What would have been the purpose of having the creature take his likeness? Deception? A memory came to him. They had been traveling at night. The creature had approached on a wave of black goo. It told them it would take Matt’s scent away from the approaching Slaugh. “It took my likeness back on Green Isle. I remember now. It should’ve been helping us, not the witch. At least that’s what it said it was going to do.”
“Can’t believe Bodaches. Only faithful to themselves,” Olifur stated.
“You were betrayed. Bera sent it to spy on you.” Nimi adjusted his bow.
“Most likely to provide a false trail. Once you had been done away with.” Olifur crept up beside Idril. He lay down beside him and put his head on Idril’s knees. “What better way to create chaos.”
Idril nodded. He understood what Olifur was insinuating. If the others saw this double, they would be led astray. Or worse, tricked.
“We have visitors. More to add to the battle.” Nimi pointed to the ceiling. The witch had the rat men open the top of the room to the sky. A mass of black wings filled the open space. Idril watched the descending flock with horror. When the raven queen shapeshifted, Idril’s memory of the birds became sharper. They had been there from the start, watching him and Toby from the very first day they arrived at Stewart Manor. All of this had its own course from the beginning. He understood it now. His destiny had always been intertwined with that of Green Isle.
It was hard to wait until they had the signal from Makura. He could taste the call of the wand and its power. He wanted desperately to save them all. The Ewa Morrigana gave him warmed his chest. He could feel the presence of the energy, and the anger that had started to rise subsided. The image of the the old woman drifted into his thoughts. Her gift of Ewa would protect him from anything evil. It seemed to help him with controlling the magic of the wand. The voices were adamant about their wishes and desire for the destruction of the witches and Uthal. That power they offered could be consuming and he had to be careful with it.
“I have a thought.”
Idril looked at Nimi. “What is it?”
“The Bodach is you. Here on this island. Why would it still need to keep your image? If it was to spy on you, well, when you drowned it wouldn’t need to retain that image after returning to its master. Its work would have been over.”
“What are you getting at?”
“They’re mercenaries. Working for some form of payment or another. Whether it’s jewels, gold, or another foul form of exchange. But only once the job’s done. They don’t get payment until the job is done. And then they’re gone,” Nimi stated. “It would be interesting to know why it’s still pretending to be you. It certainly lends to the assumption that it hasn’t been paid yet.”
“Probably to lead others who know you into a trap,” Olifur said thoughtfully. “That would be the logical reason for having a double.”
“More than likely to fool someone here on this island,” the elf replied. “Whoever your companions were before Olifur found you floating in the surf? They may be on the island.”
Idril nodded. “If what you’re saying is true, then we aren’t alone. The others, the wizard, dragon, Miranda. Miranda is the sword bearer.” The memory came quickly. “She was the chosen one. She’s here, then. That’s why it still has my image. They are trying to keep her from getting here.”
Before Idril could continue with his thoughts, the trio heard the mechanical sounds of a machine coming to life. Nimi pointed to a large spinning glass orb in the middle of the room. Arcs of lightning fingered out into the hall. It touched the walls and glass with its roving electric hand. Idril’s hair stood on end. One of the arcs came to rest on a large oval mirror next to the orb.
“Look,” he exclaimed. “There are fingers coming through the glass.”
“It’s Uthal. The mirror prison is weakening. The elixir the banshee mentioned is working. I need to get to him before he exits completely.”
Idril felt a sudden rush of cool air. The heavy oak doors to the room burst open. He could hear the wail of the banshee as she announced her presence.
“It’s almost time,” Nimi said. “Be ready.” He drew his bow and nocked an arrow.
Idril’s heart begin to beat faster. He drew the wand from its resting place and regarded his friends. They sat still as they watched the play between Uthal and Makura. He kept his eyes on Toby�
�s frightened face. My promise to him must be kept. He wouldn’t let anything happen to Toby. His mind jumped in many different directions. What did he need to do first? There were many of the witch’s rat men. A horde of ravens. Uthal emerging from the mirror. And Bera. Would he find his heart’s desire in time to combat all of them?
Idril held onto the shaft of the wand. The power coursed through his fingers. The markings on his body began to glow and he prepared himself mentally. Was it fear or rage that filled his soul? It was hard to make the determination as the two emotions had become inseparable.
When Makura stood in defiance of the Black Warlock and abandoned her allegiance to him, Nimi made the motion to move. It took only seconds for the three to emerge from their hiding spot. Their tactic took Bera and the raven queen by surprise. Idril watched in delight when both tripped over themselves trying to move away from their advance.
Nimi’s arrow hit the raven queen first. The black feathered flock flung themselves into the air in chaos when Babda screamed in agony.
“Who are you?” Uthal demanded. His voice boomed above the din of the flock. “You shall pay for your intrusion.”
Idril saw Makura shuttle the five young children toward the other end of the hall behind another large mirror similar to Uthal’s prison. Before he could move to her, a hot pain coursed through his torso. An unseen force pushed him backwards. He hit the stone floor and winced. Knowing Toby was safe for the moment, his attention moved to the warlock’s mirror. Idril saw his reflection. The Bodach had positioned itself as guard over the mirror prison.
The face of the changeling contorted and its eyes morphed into a pool of blackness. Baring razor sharp teeth, the thing hissed before it came at Idril. “You ssssshall pay for disturbing massssster.”
The hands of the creature turned into silver daggers. Idril had to think quickly. He took the wand and pointed it at the Bodach. The creature soon shapeshifted into a flower pot of daffodils.
“Good work,” Nimi stated when he ran by. “Now help me with Bera.”
Both advanced on the winter witch. Her mouth curled into a snarl and she hissed. “Do what you will, but you’re not taking me.” She disappeared into a cloud of black mist just as Nimi let the arrow fly. It hit one of the hall mirrors and shattered it. The sound sent the rat men scurrying as shards of glass flew around their heads.
“What? That witch! How could she leave me? Poor me. Poor me.” Babda clutched her shoulder. She broke the shaft of Nimi’s arrow and let out a cry of anguish. Quickly she morphed back into the form of the dark bird and flew out the opening in the ceiling. Idril drew on the energy of the wand and tried to direct it at the raven queen, but she was gone with her flock before he could cast his spell.
“Now the warlock,” Nimi said. He motioned with his head. “We must be on our guard.”
“Do you think you can take me that easily? The mirror has weakened too much.” The warlock moved his shoulders through the glass. “See? You have no power over me.”
Idril felt the same unseen force take him and push him backwards. This time it was a much farther fall and he hit the stone floor with a heavy thud. The air escaped his lungs and his eyes watered in pain. The contact with the stone also forced his fingers open and the wand went flying. Now he was defenseless.
“Olifur. Get to Idril,” Nimi commanded. In another instant, an arrow hit the glass of the mirror prison. Uthal laughed.
“Thank you. You have helped the mirror fracture further.”
“You shall not pass the borders of the fortress while I’m alive.” Nimi nocked another arrow into his bow.
“Then we need to make sure you die.” The warlock’s hands opened and red energy wrapped around the elf. The warlock forced Nimi against the ceiling and then let him drop.
Idril turned over quickly and hunted for the wand. He watched in horror as Nimi hit the floor and was still. At the perimeter of the room, he could hear Olifur barking and growling. Bera reappeared on the other side of the whirling orb. The sound of electricity grew as the orb whirled faster.
“We shall have the spell. Nothing you do will stop it,” Bera cried. Her face sneered at Idril. “You’re too late. Not even Makura’s treason will stop it.” She laughed. The sound of it was drowned in the whirling of the orb’s mechanics.
Idril’s mind raced. He scurried along the floor searching for the wand. When he turned to go under the table, he saw a panel in the wall open beside the large fireplace. From the shadows of its interior a blond-headed girl emerged. It was Miranda.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
The sounds that echoed through the passageway alarmed Miranda and the others. She could hear many loud voices and screams. The sounds reverberated in the tunnel and there was a dog barking. Hearing the canine caused Sonya to disappear. Miranda hesitated only for a second. She knew, without a doubt, that the battle had already begun.
“That sounds like a fight,” Adalay exclaimed.
“Perhaps your men have made it,” Keltrain replied. “There’s already an attack on the warlock.”
“I think it’s more plausible that it’s the two I came with,” the queen replied. “That’s Olifur barking. The healer the elf travels with.”
“Then we need to be joinin’ them,” Lamfada said. He drew his dagger and small sword. “That witch and her rat men could be makin’ mincemeat out of ‘em. And if Matt be there? Then he be needin’ us, too.”
Miranda couldn’t agree more. She was already apprehensive but the sounds above added to her anxiety. She was ready to join in and led them hastily to the end of the passageway. Her stride was wide as she bounded up the last three steps to a lighted rectangular frame in the dark wall. If Matt was there, she was afraid for him. She wanted to see him. She needed to know that he was all right. Then she would do what she came to do. Destroy Uthal.
Keltrain was close behind her. When they reached the top of the stairs, he moved beside her, found the trigger that opened the secret doorway, and quickly released the spring. The secret panel sprung open and revealed the interior of the Hall of Mirrors. The chaotic scene seemed to run together in a muddled image of color.
Miranda entered the room first. When she saw Matt, she became confused. He had changed. The whole left side of his body was etched with deep lines and symbols. She looked up at Keltrain. He saw it, too. His eyes grew wide.
“He’s been marked.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
Lamfada stepped in beside her. “It be the wand me sisters gave him. The wand is old Fomorian. The markings are of the ancient druids. Matt be claimed by the magic. Just like you, lass.”
Her mind reeled. Matt had magic. They both were now a part of Green Isle and its world. A sound caught her attention. It was a blond woman at the far end of the room. She was laughing horribly at Matt and pointing at the mirror. The dog lunged at her, barking and growling. Miranda could see the hideous form of a demon coming through the broken glass. But only a part of him had emerged. “There’s Uthal. He’s breaking free!”
“Then we’re in time. The children haven’t been placed in the machine yet,” Keltrain said. He dropped his staff and the crystal light. Taking his dagger, he inched forward.
Miranda regarded the machine that Keltrain motioned to. A large blood red orb whirled with dizzying speed. Five spider legs held it up toward the hole in the ceiling as arcs of electricity spun around the hall.
“It’s dawn,” Lily cried. “The power of the alignment is fueling the crystal cell. They’re going to put the children into it unless we stop it.” Miranda watched as she flew toward the back of the room.
Against the far wall stood Caitlin and George, along with Toby and two young girls. They stood sheltered behind a large oval mirror and appeared to be protected by a black ghostly figure. They were soon joined by the fairy, who encased them all in a golden bubble.
“Nimi?” Adalay yelled from behind Miranda. The queen pointed to a limp figure on the stone floor. “I’ve got to help him
.” She ran ahead. When she got to the elf’s side, she took a small crystal talisman from under her shirt and held it up. A soft light ebbed over the elf’s body.
“You’ve got to meet the warlock before he completely emerges,” DaGon instructed Miranda. “Or his power will be too great.”
“I’m here,” Lug said. She felt his hands on her back. There was a strange sensation that took over her body. “I’ll protect you.”
Miranda nodded. Everything was moving so fast. She glared at the warlock. His red-skinned shoulders and upper torso had already passed the barrier of the glass. Her breath quickened when she saw the horned face of Uthal staring at her.
“Ah. So Balorn’s sword has chosen its champion? A girl.” The warlock laughed loudly. “A girl? Tell me, Keltrain. Do you find that magic has a…how should I say…a sense of humor?”
“Magic has a will and a mind. We forget its energy has thought, too. I find no humor in its choice. Sometimes the greatest power comes from those we least expect.”
“She’s no match for me. Why did it choose her? Eh? King Balorn?” Miranda watched as the warlock talked to the air. “Tell me, great wise spirit of Balorn, why the girl? What does she have to offer?”
“What do I do?” she cried, looking at Keltrain.
“He mocks us for play. Don’t pay attention to him. You have great power in you. Remember? The Fir Darrigs in the temple? Don’t fear him. Draw on the spirits of the sword.”
Miranda’s hand tightened on the hilt of the weapon. She could feel Lug behind her. It was from him that the strange sensation had come. When he touched her, it was as if a deep connection had been made between them both. His thoughts seemed to be merging with hers. In the back of her mind, she could feel him. It gave her strength to know he was close.
In front of her, she could see Matt crawling on all fours looking for something. And then it became quiet. Everything froze. Time stopped and only she could move. At the far end of the hall, she saw the wolf. It was Morrigana. The old woman shapeshifted and walked toward her.
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